I did indeed get my butt back to the card aisle. I went out this afternoon for the sole purpose of buying a few current cards for the first time in weeks.
Target was my choice, and honestly, the selection hasn't improved much since I was there last. Outside of the 2017 flagship, which will be there at this time next year (witness: 2016 flagship still rotting on the shelves), my 2017 baseball choices were: Bunt, Allen & Ginter, Stadium Club and Heritage High Numbers.
Hardly enthused by any of them, and distracted by the people in line next to the card aisle -- I hate it when they open the register next to the card aisle -- my hands instinctively grabbed the newest item and the most attractive one to my eyes: the Heritage High Numbers rack pack.
I have purchased cards based on what was listed on the wrapper countless times. I've purchased cards based on who appeared on the wrapper at least a few times. But I think this was the first time that I have bought cards based on what the wrapper looked like.
It looks outstanding. And if Topps gave the wrapper a black background to attract buyers, then I'm testament that it is working. I nabbed it because of the wrapper.
It certainly wasn't because of what was inside. Let's go through these quickly:
#572 - Addison Reed, Mets
#594 - Michael Saunders, Phillies
#666 - Kyle Freeland, Rockies
Freeland receive the devil number this year, which is appropriate given my thoughts about the Rockies right about now.
#664 - Edwin Encarnacion, Indians
#662 - Martin Maldonado, Angels
#547 - Dan Straily, Marlins
This has been brought up repeatedly by myself and others: I'm fairly certain many of the backgrounds in Heritage (regular version and high numbers) are fake "Olin Mills" type backdrops. I don't know if this has been confirmed, but if it is, I don't like this product period and will be sorry I ever bought any Heritage cards this year.
#606 - Ian Kennedy, Royals
#651 - Jeff Hoffman, Rockies
#554 - Brandon Kintzler, Twins
Kintzler isn't even a Twin anymore and Hoffman is in every pack of every 2017 product. He is the Henry Owens of 2017.
#560 - Stephen Cardullo, Rockies
#RP-16 Tyler Glasnow, Pirates, Rookie Performers insert
#514 - Andrew Cashner, Rangers
This purchase was rampant with Rockies, which reminds me of 2010 when all I pulled was Rockies. Not a good feeling then, not a good feeling now.
#691 - Jose Osuna, Pirates
#672 - Hansel Robles, Mets
#690 - Anthony Alford, Blue Jays
Nothing but suspicious blazing blue sky.
#509 - Mike Montgomery, Cubs
#598 - Branson Arroyo, Reds
#534 - Brandon Phillips, Braves
Fake sky?
#607 - Mark Canha, Athletics
#526 - Josh Smoker, Mets
Bleh. Not a single Dodger. Not a single short-print. This is why I haven't been to the card aisle in weeks.
The wrapper was easily the best part of this pack.
Fortunately, I did buy a rack pack of Stadium Club, too, and pulled a Clayton Kershaw insert.
That made up for the annoying kid who kept darting from his mother in the checkout line to repeatedly dodge in front of me and try to sneak a blaster of wrestling cards into their cart, only to be repeatedly rejected by his mother.
See you in several more weeks, Target.
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